Finally a list about the great music known as death metal. No other
music is as ferocious, raw, aggressive, ridiculous, sometimes beautiful,
and always sure to put a smile on your face. Now for this list there
are a few things you need to know before you just dive right in and get
your eardrums ravaged. THIS LIST IS NOT ONLY GOING TO BE DEATH METAL IN
THE STRICT SENSE! In fact those of you who are expecting the most
brutal list of all time are probably going to be disappointed. I know
what you’re thinking, “But this list says top DEATH metal bands!?” Yes
it does but I want this list to be as cool as is humanly possible so I
am expanding it a little. Plus I don’t want some whiny little punk to
write “Ok number x was definitely doom thrash surf glam black metal, not
death metal!” No one likes it when music gets classified into the
craziest most specific genres ever. Here are the guidelines I am using
to write this bad boy. The bands will be judged on:
1. Having at least two albums with death metal elements in it
2. The technicality and musicianship
3. Popularity
4. Importance in the history of death metal
5. Awesomeness
Arch Enemy has legendary guitarist Michael Amott from Carcass. It is
one of the few metal bands with a female vocalist. What more could you
want? They are getting more popular with each album, and every one is
getting more melodic than the last. Although some hardcore metalheads
may not like this it is perpetuating their growing popularity.
Some people may not know about this gem of a band. They combine the
aggression of death metal with the complexities of classical music. If
you have not heard any of their songs you are missing out. They are
coming out with a new album this summer as well.
This band from Poland scared me the first time I heard them. They
bring a black metal influence to this list (just look at the costumes
they have). The drums are incredibly fast and crisp and the guitar work
has hints of Middle-Eastern influence.
This Finnish band is known for their melodic riffs. While there are
other very good Scandinavian melodic death metal bands (ex. Kalmah,
Norther) Children of Bodom is the most popular, the reason it clinched
the number seven spot.
Hopefully having Cannibal Corpse on this list will help to keep the
real brutal death metal fans happy. Cannibal Corpse is extremely heavy
and has built up a cult following. The horror film style subject matter
of their music is very controversial, with song names like “Hammer
Smashed Face” and just about any of their other songs (especially the
ones off of Tomb of the Mutilated).
This band was a tough one to put on this list because they are not
really death metal, but luckily awesomeness and musicianship are part of
the criteria for this list. Mastodon has a unique and progressive
style. The drums are absolutely amazing! Over the years Mastodon has
enjoyed great reviews and was nominated for a Grammy but lost to the
next band…
That’s right! What metal list would be complete without Slayer? Go to
a metal show and everyone there loves Slayer. This band is
historically important for metal (thrash metal really) and definitely
has the popularity, but when it comes down to it the musicianship is not
as good as many of the other bands on this list. However this adds to
their “metalness.” The members of the band have admitted that there are
mistakes in their recordings but they don’t care because they are that
cool.
3
Between The Buried And Me
Many metalheads may be surprised to see the number three spot filled
by this band, but it really makes perfect sense. They definitely have
some death metal elements and the musicianship. While they may not be
super popular or important in the history of metal yet, I believe they
will be soon. Anyone who disagrees with my decision to put this band at
number three should listen to Colors all the way through. It is a
beautiful masterpiece with more musical styles than I ever thought could
be crammed into one album.
They are everything a death metal band should be. They have caused a
nice amount of controversy with their imagery and lyrics. Their lead
singer burned an upside-down cross into his forehead. They have brutal
riffs and blisteringly fast blast beats with spectacular guitar solos
interspersed (listen to the solo in “Homage for Satan”). I don’t think
anyone can argue their high position on this list.
Even if Death lacked all the other criteria (which they don’t) they
still are the most important band in death metal history. Chuck
Schuldiner is the father of death metal for a reason. Death is the band
that started death metal plain and simple. Aside from starting the
genre this list is based on, the music they make is simply beautiful.
It is obvious that Chuck pours his heart into his music. Some of the
things he plays will really stick with you.
